[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 98 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6593-H6594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 148) recognizing the 
significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 148

       Whereas people of Caribbean heritage are found in every 
     State of the Union;
       Whereas emigration from the Caribbean region to the 
     American Colonies began as early as 1619 with the arrival of 
     indentured workers in Jamestown, Virginia;
       Whereas during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a 
     significant number of slaves from the Caribbean region were 
     brought to the United States;
       Whereas since 1820, millions of people have emigrated from 
     the Caribbean region to the United States;
       Whereas much like the United States, the countries of the 
     Caribbean faced obstacles of slavery and colonialism and 
     struggled for independence;
       Whereas also like the United States, the people of the 
     Caribbean region have diverse racial, cultural, and religious 
     backgrounds;
       Whereas the independence movements in many countries in the 
     Caribbean region during the 1960s and the consequential 
     establishment of independent democratic countries in the 
     Caribbean strengthened ties between the region and the United 
     States;
       Whereas Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United 
     States and the first Secretary of the Treasury, was born in 
     the Caribbean;
       Whereas there have been many influential Caribbean-
     Americans in the history of the United States, including Jean 
     Baptiste Point du Sable, the pioneer settler of Chicago; 
     Claude McKay, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance; James Weldon 
     Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem; Shirley 
     Chisolm, the first African-American Congresswoman and first 
     African-American woman candidate for President; and Celia 
     Cruz, the world-renowned queen of Salsa music;
       Whereas the many influential Caribbean-Americans in the 
     history of the United States also include Colin Powell, the 
     first African-American Secretary of State; Sidney Poitier, 
     the first African-American actor to receive the Academy Award 
     for best actor in a leading role; Harry Belafonte, a 
     musician, actor, and activist; Marion Jones, an Olympic gold 
     medalist; Roberto Clemente, the first Latino inducted into 
     the baseball hall of fame; and Al Roker, a meteorologist and 
     television personality;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans have played an active role in 
     the civil rights movement and other social and political 
     movements in the United States;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans have contributed greatly to 
     education, fine arts, business, literature, journalism, 
     sports, fashion, politics, government, the military, music, 
     science, technology, and other areas in the United States;
       Whereas Caribbean-Americans share their culture through 
     carnivals, festivals, music, dance, film, and literature that 
     enrich the cultural landscape of the United States;
       Whereas the countries of the Caribbean are important 
     economic partners of the United States;
       Whereas the countries of the Caribbean represent the United 
     States third border;
       Whereas the people of the Caribbean region share the hopes 
     and aspirations of the people of the United States for peace 
     and prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and the rest 
     of the world;
       Whereas in June 2006, President George W. Bush issued a 
     proclamation declaring June National Caribbean-American 
     Heritage Month after the passage of H. Con. Res 71 in the 
     109th Congress by both the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives; and
       Whereas June is an appropriate month to establish a 
     Caribbean-American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Caribbean-American 
     Heritage Month;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     Caribbean-American Heritage Month with appropriate 
     ceremonies, celebrations, and activities; and
       (3) affirms that--
       (A) the contributions of Caribbean-Americans are a 
     significant part of the history, progress, and heritage of 
     the United States; and
       (B) the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States 
     enriches and strengthens the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Sali) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to

[[Page H6594]]

join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 148, a bill 
that recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month.
  H. Res. 148, which has 53 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative Barbara Lee of California on May 14, 2007. H. Con. Res. 
148 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a 
voice vote.
  National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was established to 
recognize the historical relationship between people of the Caribbean 
and the United States of America. Caribbean Americans present a rich 
diversity of countries, cultures and colloquialisms which are dispersed 
throughout communities in the United States. Caribbean immigration to 
the United States reached its peak in the last 5 years, with 
approximately 6 percent of the more than 7 million immigrants coming 
from the Caribbean.
  Since the founding of the United States, Caribbeans have had a 
significant role in shaping the conscience of America and are among our 
great leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainers, including such 
individuals as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, James 
Weldon Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Marion Jones, Juan Carlos Finlay, 
Oscar de la Renta, Malcolm X, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder 
of Chicago, Marcus Garvey, and many others.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for introducing this legislation 
and I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, each year in June, we celebrate our strong relationship 
with the Caribbean nations and appreciate the value and diversity they 
bring to the United States. We value National Caribbean-American 
Heritage Month and encourage people from across the country to join 
with those of Caribbean-American roots in these celebrations. From as 
far back as the 17th century, citizens from the Caribbean have 
immigrated to the U.S. Many were slaves, who faced the same obstacles 
struggling for equality and independence.
  We are a Nation of immigrants, and this bill emphasizes the many 
contributions of Caribbean immigrants to our society. Over 5 million 
Americans proudly share the Caribbean heritage in promoting and 
attending Caribbean-style festivals around the country. These festivals 
appreciate the rich culture, history and diversity brought forth 
through the joining of these two nations.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of House 
Concurrent Resolution 148.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 148.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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